An agreement for meat export worth US$160 million will be signed between Iran and Pakistan's Punjab government.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said this at the inauguration of a modern slaughterhouse here on Sunday (Dec 25) built at Shahpur Kanjran at a cost of PKR1 billion (US$11 million) in collaboration with Iran.

Officials of Iranian Consulate, members of a Turk delegation, elected representatives, secretaries of livestock and health and citizens attended the inaugural ceremony. The project was completed in a record period of 10 months.

The chief minister said the project was likely to boost agriculture and export sectors of the country, besides providing best hygienic meat to the citizens. The project, he said, would be free of politics and would be run professionally.

He said Muslim countries were importing meat worth billions of dollars in which Pakistan's share was negligible. He said despite having common borders with Pakistan, Iran was importing meat worth US$800 million from other countries.

The chief minister said Pakistan had capacity of exporting best halal meat not only to Iran but also to other countries by improving its livestock sector. He urged that Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and other Muslim countries should launch similar joint ventures for the progress and prosperity of their people. The chief minister announced one-month salary as bonus for the slaughter house staff.